Pembroke’s May Ball was, in many ways, both conventional and utterly unconventional. Though like every May Ball, it afforded those who bore the cost of admission a cacophony of sights and sounds with which to delight themselves through the night and into the morning, it was executed with an organisational competence, forethought and attention to detail seldom seen in May Balls.

What cut through the myriad neon lights, fairy-lit flowers and coloured jets of water was an appreciation of the need of guests to navigate this rich tapestry of activities in a way that was both coherent and empowering. Nobody, I think, felt utterly lost in a sea of a million stalls. A big part of this was the grouping of both entertainment acts and consumables according to four ‘elemental’ themes: air, earth, fire and water. ‘Elemental’ was more than an esoteric marketing tool - it was an organising principle that pervaded the entire May Ball in a way that was both impressive and thematically coherent.

The integration of the May Ball schedule with the Notifsta app also provided an easy way for guests to keep track of when bands were on stage, and what activities were available and when. While this might seem small, getting a little buzz in your pocket to remind you that Little Comets were on the main stage when you were angling to secure pole position in the next round of dodgems can be terrifically useful. Once again, a small but powerful way to keep organised among the orgy of things to do, see and experience.

While each part of the college hosted acts for almost all of the night, ranging from Fitz Swing at the beginning of the night to the comically musical Your Mum-ford & Sons who saw the event close, the biggest acts were undoubtedly Wankelmut and Little Comets. They did not disappoint, delivering the electronic and indie sounds for which they are respectively known and providing the best value for money of perhaps any Cambridge May Ball this year in the process.

The silent disco, curated first by Chris Berrow and Nick Mann and later by Backtracks, was a particular highlight. For music lovers of all tastes, though, there was something on offer to satisfy every musical sensibility.

The constantly evolving edibles and drinkables also provided people with a dizzying amount of choice to suit any and all tastebuds. Thai curry gave way to a self-described ‘Sausage Fest’ and a pick ’n’ mix selection which literally transformed guests into kids in a candy store. Burgers preceded macaroni and cheese, which allowed for bacon butties to welcome in the morning with a crispy crunch and plenty of brown sauce.

The Library Lawn was a location of particular culinary brilliance, as it played host to the chocolate fountain which allowed for almost unlimited indulgence in the fantasy that one could obtain one’s five-a-day through strawberries doused in liquid milk chocolate. These foods accompanied an impressive drinks selection, from the usual suspects like champagne to smoothies and copious cocktails, ciders and ales. And from dodgems and massage chairs to caricatures and ferris wheels, there was a limitless supply of things to partake in and see. You could not afford to miss a beat.

In short, the Pembroke May Ball did not substitute quality for quantity. Every element of the night fit into the overall theme and, most importantly, had a reason for being. The night, given the high- quality and replete nature of the fare on offer, was worth far more than the price of admission. It was a May Ball in which all of the elements, from music to food to entertainment, came together perfectly.